Aging
Assistant Professor Cindy Gross
Professor Margaret Huang- Saddleback College Ageism Definition “The prejudices and sterotypes that are
applied to older people sheerly on the basis of
their age….” (Butler, Lewis & Sutherland, 1991). (Eliopoulos, Gerontological
Nursing, 5th edition, p. 42). Actions, terms, and labels for older adults
based on poor attitudes and lace of adequate
information and knowledge about aging. Ageism Ageism….is a system of destructive, false beliefs about
our elderly that are pervasive in our society.” “Health professionals are more susceptible than the lay
public to the development of ageist assumptions.” (Dr. Robert
Adelman) Ageism is Dangerous Limits human opportunity Denies individuals the respect, freedom, and protection Makes people the victims of their own false belief Negative role modeling Ageism in the media is harmful to the health of the elderly Older people with positive perceptions of aging lived 7 ½ years
longer that those exposed to negative images. (20 year study published in 2002 by Becca R. Levy at Yale University) As a society, we need to show appreciation for the contributions
of older adults and their wealth of resources. Myths & Facts of Aging
Myth #1 Intelligence Crystal intelligence increases Fluid intelligence decreases Mental and physical exercises enhances dendrite growth You can teach an old dog new tricks Myth #2 Forgetful Remembrance is related to the meaningfulness of the
event and organization of facts Myths & Facts of Aging
Myth #3
Senile – Layman’s term. irreversible Medical term is dementia-reversible, Reversible dementias
D Drugs: Delirium
E Emotions (e.g. depression, endocrine disorders)
M Metabolic disturbances
E Eye and Ear impairments
N Nutritional disorders
T Tumors, toxicity, trauma to head
I
Infectious disorders
A Alcohol, arteriosclerosis Myths & Facts of Aging
Irreversible Dementias
Alzheimer’s Disease 65% 7% Dementia with Lewy Bodies 5% Multi-Infarct/Vascular 15% Mixed Dementia (Combination of above types) 8% Other Causes (Dr. Jorge A. Rivero, UCIMC, March 20, 2003) Myths & Facts of Aging
Brain 3 Categories Successful Aging- 10 to 30% Maintain high mental function Usual Aging- Function moderately well 25 to 30% Dementia Mental Agility can be controlled Staying intellectually, physically, socially active Continuing to challenge the brain-mind is like muscles, needs to be
exercised or atrophies TRY SOMETHING NEW AND DIFFERENT EVERYDAY Myths & Facts of Aging
Depression It is not a normal part of growing older It affects 15-20% of U.S. older adults It is a widely under-recognized and under-treated medical illness It is higher in older adults who are socially isolated, are home bound, have
several medical conditions, have functional impairment It affects 25% of those with chronic illness-ischemic heart
disease, stroke, cancer, chronic lung disease, arthritis,
Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease Prevalence increases with the prevalence and severity of
medical comorbidity and disability Lowest rate of clinical depression is among those living
independently in a community Myths & Facts of Aging
Suicide
Suicide rate among older adults is higher than that for any other age
group White men age 85 and older were most likely to die by suicide (NIMH
2009) the highest rate of all Many older adults who commit suicide have visited a primary care
physician very close to the time of the suicide: 20% on the same day 40% within 1 week 75% within one month Depression tends to be long-lasting and recurrent-a wait and see approach to undesirable and immediate clinical attention is necessary.
If recognized, treatment response is good-it is treatable in 80% of
cases
www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation Myths & Facts of Aging
Myth #4 Afraid of Death Older people are not afraid of death Fear of dying alone and in pain Myth #5 Institutionalization Only about 5% are in nursing homes at any given time 40% will be in some time before they die Majority live in communities Myths & Facts of Aging
Myth #6 Sunny Climates Only about 5% move Myth #7 Religious Aging does not make people more religious People who already have acknowledged religion, continue their
practice People do not turn religious at age 65 Myth #8 Dependent People want to remain independent as long as they can Myths & Facts of Aging
Myth #9 Unproductive or useless Productiveness is dictated by the society’s retirement age Some professions, for example like musicians, writers
continue to work Myth #10 Incontinent It is not a result of aging nor is it a disease It is a symptom of existing environmental, psychologic, drug,
or physical disturbances… (Ebersole & Hess, Geriatric Nursing & Healthy Aging, 1 ed., p 186)
st Myths & Facts of Aging Myth #11 Old people are sick 50% Healthy and optimistic spend $400/year on healthcare 40% Moderately sick spend median %5,000/year 10% Very sick spend average $42.000/year (Dr. George Xakellis, UCDavis, 4/19/2002) Myth #12 Less Food Need same food pyramid requirements except for caloric
requirements Myth #13 Shrinking It is a sign of disease, osteoporosis Myths & Facts of Aging Myth #14 Wrinkles The amount of skin damage is related to solar exposure,
smoking, alcohol abuse Myth #15 Sexless Sexuality and sexual interest reflect lifelong patterns With good health and the availability of a partner, sexual
activity can continue into the 70’s and beyond Myths & Facts of Aging Myth # 16 Falls Falls are not normal with aging The leading cause of injury deaths in older adults (CDC, 2009) 1 in 3 community-dwelling elderly 65+, fall each year Fatal falls, traumatic brain injury 46% Non-fatal injuries: hip fractures 20-30% At risk population-over 50% will fall again within a year Falls are multifactorial The leading risk factors: depression, balance problems, polypharmacy 50% of all falls can be prevented through a comprehensive fall
prevention program
(Professors Marks & Katz,
UNC@Chapel Hill, March 2009) Myths & Facts of Aging
Myth # 17 Cannot learn ”you can’t teach old dogs new tricks.” “Older adults maintain the capacity to learn…” (Eliopoulos, Gerontological Nursing, 5th edition, p. 60). Myth # 18 Old people are the same Heterogeneity is the hallmark of aging: the older we get, the more
different we become: cognitively, physically Myth # 19 Age 65 is old Gerontologist say you are as young as you feel There is no mandatory retirement age Cultural View Aging
Ageism is pervasive in the Western culture African/Asian/Middle Eastern/Hispanic culture view elderly
with respect Filial Piety Unconditional obedience to parents by Chinese philosopher,
Confucius Chinese Americans Older adults are given high respect and sough for advice
The family is expected to take care of its elderly (Eliopoulos, Gerontological Nursing, 7th edition, 2010). Cultural View Aging
African Americans To survive to old age is considered a major accomplishment that
reflects strength, resourcefulness and faith for this ethnic group: thus
old age may be considered a personal triumph They look to family members for decision-making and care (Eliopoulos, Gerontological Nursing, 7th edition, 2010). Hispanic Americans Older relatives are held in high esteem “Hispanic people may expect that children will take care of their
aging parents, and families may try to avoid institutionalization at all
cost.” (Eliopoulos, Gerontological Nursing, 7 edition, 2010).
th Cultural View Aging
Stereotypes Bossy Complainer Demanding Grouchy Impatient Intolerable Stubborn Personality in late life is a refection of lifelong personality

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• 1505217016-Ageism.pdf